System and method for wireless broadcast of multimedia files to vehicles

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods are provided for wirelessly broadcasting large multimedia files to vehicles. The apparatus includes a vehicle-based receiver configured to wirelessly receive at least one group of encoded data packets at a data rate based on a number of concurrently broadcasted groups of encoded data packets, a decoder coupled to the data storage device, a data storage device coupled to the receiver, and a media playback unit coupled to the data storage device. The group of data packets corresponds to at least a portion of a multimedia content, and each of the data packets contains at least a portion of the multimedia content. The data rate is based on an average vehicle operation duration and/or a probability of occurrence of the average vehicle operation duration. The decoder is configured to assemble at least a portion of the multimedia content from the first data file upon the data storage device receiving a pre-determined number of data packets. The data storage device is configured to store the group of data packets and assembled multimedia content. The playback unit is configured to play the assembled multimedia content.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to multimedia broadcast systems,and more particularly relates to wireless broadcast of large multimediadata to vehicles.

BACKGROUND

Vehicle operators tend to spend a significant amount of time in theirrespective vehicles particularly when commuting from a home to aworkplace, running errands, conducting business, vacationing, or formany other reasons. This time is significant enough that some vehiclescome equipped with a variety of consumer electronics such as compactdisc (CD) players, cassette tape players, radios, satellite radios,electronic gaming, and digital video disc (DVD) players. Some owners mayalso choose to equip their vehicle with aftermarket consumer electronicsin the event their vehicles lack such consumer electronics or forpurposes of customization. These and other entertainment or infotainmentelectronic devices provide a passenger in the vehicle withtime-occupying options and may improve the passenger's quality of time.

Consumer electronics such as CD players, cassette tape players, DVDplayers, and electronic gaming generally have related media content forplayback residing on a localized storage medium. For example, manyon-board navigation systems utilize geographic information stored onCD's. This information may be downloaded to a memory associated with thenavigation system, located in the vehicle, or directly accessed from theCD by the navigation system. In another example, DVD players commonlyplay media that is stored on DVD.

Consumer electronics such as radios, satellite radios, and cellularphones generally have related media content transmitted in real-time.For example, satellite radios receive audio broadcasts carried in aselected frequency band and play such broadcasts when the satelliteradio is activated. In general, these forms of consumer electronics usetransmission methods that may have limited types of transmitted mediaand reception modes.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a system for wireless broadcastof relatively large and multiple types of multimedia data to vehicles.In addition, it is desirable to provide a multimedia system for avehicle that is capable of receiving large multimedia data duringintermittent operation of the vehicle. Furthermore, other desirablefeatures and characteristics of the present invention will becomeapparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention andthe appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingsand this background of the invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various exemplary embodiments, a system is provided forwirelessly broadcasting large multimedia files to vehicles. In a firstexemplary embodiment, a system for broadcasting multimedia files tovehicles is provided that includes an encoder configured to convert amultimedia file to a group of encoded data packets; and a wirelesstransmitter coupled to the encoder. The transmitter is configured toreceive the group of encoded data packets from the encoder andconcurrently broadcast at least one group of encoded data packets for apre-determined time period and at a pre-determined data rate. Each ofthe groups of encoded data packets correspond to a different multimediafile. The time period is based on an average vehicle operation duration,and the data rate based on a broadcast bandwidth and a number ofconcurrently broadcasted groups of encoded data packets.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a multimedia system for a vehicle isprovided that includes a vehicle-based receiver configured to wirelesslyreceive at least one group of encoded multimedia data packets duringactivation of the vehicle, a data storage device coupled to thereceiver, a decoder coupled to the data storage device, and a multimediaplayback device coupled to the data storage device. The groups ofencoded multimedia data packets are broadcasted at a pre-determined datarate for a pre-determined time period. Each of the groups of encodedmultimedia data packets correspond to a different multimedia data file.The data rate is based on a broadcast bandwidth and a number ofconcurrently broadcasted groups of encoded data packets, and the timeperiod is based on an average vehicle operation duration. The datastorage device is configured to store the groups of encoded multimediadata packets and assembled multimedia data files. The decoder isconfigured to access the groups of encoded multimedia data packets fromthe data storage device and assemble the different multimedia data filesupon receiving a threshold number of encoded multimedia data packets forthe groups of encoded multimedia data packets. The playback device isconfigured to play the assembled multimedia data files.

In a third exemplary embodiment, a method of broadcasting multimediafiles to vehicles is provided having the steps of generating a group ofencoded data packets from a multimedia file containing to a multimediacontent, and wirelessly and concurrently transmitting at least one groupof encoded data packets for a time period based on an average vehicleoperation duration and a data rate based on a number of concurrentbroadcasts of groups of encoded data packets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction withthe following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote likeelements, and

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of asystem for wireless broadcast of multimedia to vehicles;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of a transmissionbandwidth;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a second exemplary embodiment of a transmissionbandwidth;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of amultimedia system for a vehicle;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a second exemplary embodiment of amultimedia system for a vehicle;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a third exemplary embodiment of amultimedia system for a vehicle;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a fourth exemplary embodiment of amultimedia system for a vehicle; and

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of broadcasting multimediafiles to vehicles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the invention is merely exemplaryin nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the applicationand uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to bebound by any theory presented in the preceding background, briefsummary, or the following detailed description.

The present invention is a system for wireless broadcast of multimediato vehicles. Most vehicles tend to be intermittently operated. Vehiclesmay be operated for various lengths of time and for various purposes.For example, passenger vehicles may be used for transportation from homeand a workplace, between work sites, and along any number of differentroutes among different places. The invented system provides atransmission of multimedia files that accounts for the varying timeperiods of vehicle operation.

As used herein, the term “file” refers to any data that is stored at oneor more sources and is to be delivered as a unit to one or moredestinations. For example, a document, an image, and a file from a fileserver or computer storage device, are all examples of “files” that maybe delivered. Files can be of known size (such as a one megabyte imagestored on a hard disk) or can be of unknown size (such as a file takenfrom the output of a streaming source). A file may be considered as asequence of input symbols, where each input symbol has a position in thefile and a value.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating anexemplary embodiment of a system for wireless broadcast of multimedia tovehicles, shown generally at 10. In this embodiment, the system 10includes a multimedia data file that may be stored in a conventionalstorage medium 12, an encoder 16 that accesses the multimedia data filefrom the storage medium 12 and converts the multimedia data file intogroups of encoded data packets, and a wireless transmitter, showngenerally at 18, that prepares the encoded data packets for wirelesstransmission and broadcasts the same from the encoder 16 for apre-determined broadcast period and at a pre-determined datatransmission rate. The broadcast period and data rate may be based on anaverage vehicle operation duration and/or a probability of occurrence ofthe average vehicle operation duration. Other data related to vehicleoperation, such as may be related to providing a greater percentile ofcustomers with a time period to receive sufficient data packets forreassembling one or more original multimedia files, may also be used todetermine the broadcast period and data transmission rate.

It should be appreciated that the blocks of FIG. 1 (as well as theblocks in the other diagrams disclosed herein) can represent functionalelements and discrete hardware elements. For example, in one embodimentof the invention, some of the functions or hardware elements illustratedin FIG. 1 may be implemented in a single processor unit. Alternatively,a portion of the functions may be implemented in a single processor unitin combination with hardware elements. The functions can be implementedin hardware, all in software, or a combination of hardware and softwarecan be used.

Each multimedia data file corresponds to a multimedia content. Forsimplification of explanation, a single multimedia data file isdescribed herein although more than one multimedia data file may bestored in the storage medium 12, broadcasted by the wireless transmitter18, or otherwise processed by the various components of the inventedsystem 10. Examples of conventional storage medium include, by way ofexample and not limitation, compact disc (CD), digital video disc (DVD),read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM types, random access memory(RAM), floppy disk, magnetic tape, flash memory, hard disk, etc. Theparticular type of storage medium is not critical to the operation ofthe invented multimedia system so long as the storage medium hassufficient memory size for containing the multimedia file, in whole orin portions thereof.

The encoder 16 provides relatively large multimedia files in the form ofgroups of data packets, also referred to herein as meta packets, to thetransmitter 18 for broadcast. The encoder 16 may access the multimediafiles from the storage medium 12 using a conventional data protocol suchas file transfer protocol (FTP). In one embodiment, these meta packetsare algorithmically generated from the original multimedia file suchthat the original file may be reassembled upon receipt of a thresholdnumber of meta packets. For example, the meta packets may be coded in aninformation additive manner where the encoded data generally assists inrecovering the original file rather than being duplicative. A receiverof the encoded meta packets may begin reception at any given point ofthe transmission, and the transmitter 18 is generally not required tostop transmission after a pre-determined number of groups of datapackets are generated and transmitted.

The term “transmission” is referred to herein as a process oftransmitting data from one or more senders to one or more recipientsthrough a channel in order to deliver a file. At times, data may emanatefrom more than one sender, or some portion of the transmitted data maybe dropped en route to the recipient(s). When transmitting orbroadcasting data, data erasure and data incompleteness are twoconcerns. Data erasure may occur when the channel loses or drops data.Data incompleteness may occur when a recipient does not start receivingdata until some of the data has already passed, the recipient stopsreceiving data before transmission ends, or the recipient intermittentlystops and starts receiving data. As an example of data incompleteness, amoving satellite sender may be transmitting data representing an inputfile and start the transmission before a recipient is in range. Once therecipient is in range, data may be received until the satellite movesout of range, at which point the recipient can redirect a data receiverto start receiving the data about the same input file being transmittedby another satellite that has moved into range. As another example,routers may drop packets when associated buffers are full or nearly full(e.g., congested), and routers may also drop packets for competingpackets and/or to enforce rate limitations.

The encoding/decoding scheme used with the invented multimedia systemgenerally minimizes the effects of data erasure and data incompleteness.In one embodiment, a recipient may receive data generated by multiplesenders or by one sender using multiple connections. For example, togenerally shorten a download time, a recipient may simultaneouslyconnect to more than one sender for transmitting data related to thesame file. As another example, in a multicast transmission, multiplemulticast data streams may be transmitted to assist recipients withconnecting to one or more of these streams such as by matching anaggregate transmission rate with a bandwidth of a channel connecting thesender with the recipients. The particular standard of wirelesstransmission is not critical to the invention so long as an originalmultimedia data file is converted to a group of encoded data packetsthat may be reassembled upon receipt of a threshold number of encodeddata packets. Examples of wireless transmission standards include butare not limited to IEEE 802.11 series standards, Bluetooth, HiperLAN1,and HiperLAN2.

The channel may be a real-time channel with the channel moving data fromthe sender to the recipient as the channel receives the data, or thechannel may be a storage channel that stores some or all of the data intransit from the sender to the recipient. An example of the latter isdisk storage or other storage device. In this example, a program ordevice that generates data may be thought of as the sender thattransmits the data to a storage device, and the recipient may be theprogram or device that reads the data from the storage device. In oneembodiment, the mechanisms that the sender uses to load the data ontothe storage device, the storage device itself, and the mechanisms thatthe recipient uses to retrieve the data from the storage device maycollectively form the channel.

The term “encoder” is referred to herein as a circuit, device, module orcode segment that generates data from an input file that assists withrecovery of data erasures. In one embodiment, the encoder 16 generatesgroups of output symbols from input symbols, where a sequence of inputsymbol values represents a corresponding input file. Each input symbolhas a position in the input file and a value associated therewith. Avariety of other encoding schemes may be used with the encoder 16 thatallow reassembly of the original file upon receipt of a threshold numberof data packets and are not limited to initiating reception at aparticular point of the transmission.

Transmitting a file generally involves generating, forming, orextracting input symbols from an input file, encoding those inputsymbols into one or more groups of output symbols, where each group ofoutput symbols is generated based on an associated key independently ofall other groups of output symbols, and transmitting the groups ofoutput symbols to one or more recipients over a channel. In oneembodiment, meta packets are obtained from an original multimedia fileon the storage medium 12 by the encoder 16 and encoded into one or moregroups of encoded meta packets for transmission. In this embodiment,each group of meta packets is generated based on an associated key. Theencoded meta packets may contain the multimedia content in a digitallycompressed format (e.g., sound, images, and video). In one embodiment, adescriptive element having additional information about the compressedmultimedia contents is included with the encoded meta packets in a fileheader used for broadcast. The descriptive element may includeinformation not normally encoded with compressed multimedia contentsincluding, by way of example and not of limitation, beststorage/directory information for the customer, parental controlinformation, relevant vehicle information, and subscription controlinformation.

In one embodiment, the transmitter 18 includes a gateway 20 receivingthe groups of meta packets from the encoder 16, a host server 22 coupledto the gateway 20, and an uplink device 24 coupled to the host server22. This embodiment is exemplary of networked communication systemswhere the encoded meta packets are routed through one or more componentsof a network, such as through a gateway and a host server providingwireless transmission services. For example, a content provider mayconnect to a network via the gateway 20 and transmit encoded metapackets using transfer control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) tothe host server 22 that is connected to the network. The gateway 20 is aprocessing unit that may be a node on the network controlling access tothe network and/or routing of data packets to a desired wirelesstransmission server, such as the host server 22.

The host server 22 may include memory for storing the encoded metapackets for transmission. The host server may be connected to any numberand variety of uplink devices, such as a satellite dish, that upload theencoded meta packets for wireless transmission or broadcast. The uplinkdevice 24 and/or host server 22 may include known components, such as amodulation/coding unit, for accomplishing modulation or multiplexing,depending on a particular signal processing mode, as will be appreciatedby those of skill in art. For example, the uplink device 24 may includea radio transmitter that modulates the encoded meta packets for wirelessbroadcast. Although this embodiment of the system 10 is described withrespect to a networked transmitter, the wireless broadcast ortransmission aspect of the invented system may also have partially ornon-networked transmitters or transmission systems. For example, theencoder 16 may be directly connected to the host server 22 or to theuplink device 24.

The system 10 may further include a transponder 26, such as a satelliteor signal repeater/relay, receiving the transmitted group(s) of encodedmeta packets from the uplink device 24, a downlink receiver 28 thatreceives the group(s) of encoded meta packets from the transponder 26, adecoder 30 coupled to the downlink receiver 28 that reassembles theoriginal multimedia file from the encoded meta packets, and a multimediaplayback device 32 coupled to the downlink receiver 28 havingoperational software that reads and plays the original multimedia datafile. The playback device 32 may include, by way of example and not oflimitation, a rear seat entertainment (RSE) device such as a videodisplay mounted in the back of a front seat headrest for viewing bypassengers. The received encoded meta packets and/or the reassembledmultimedia file may be stored in memory associated with the decoder 30,the playback device 32, a mass storage device associated with suchcomponents, or a stand-alone mass storage device, as described ingreater detail hereinbelow.

In this embodiment, the downlink receiver 28, decoder 30, and playbackdevice 32 are located on a vehicle. Although the present invention isdescribed in the context of receiving large multimedia data files in avehicle application, the downlink receiver 28, decoder 30, and playbackdevice 32 may be located on a variety of other personal transportationor as a stand-alone portable device. In this embodiment, the downlinkreceiver 28 may be connected to the decoder 30 via a universal serialbus (USB) or other conventional communication line.

The downlink receiver 28 includes conventional signal demodulationand/or de-multiplexing components for extracting the encoded metapackets from the wireless transmission signal. Activation of thedownlink receiver 28 is generally coordinated with the operation of thevehicle. For example, the downlink receiver 28 may initiate and conductreception of the encoded meta packets whenever the vehicle is operating,such as with the engine running or whenever battery power is supplied tovarious vehicle components. Receiving and reconstructing a copy of theinput file, i.e., the original multimedia file, includes receiving a setor subset of groups of output symbols (i.e., meta packets) from one ofmore data transmission streams, and decoding the input symbols from thevalues and keys of the received groups of output symbols.

After the encoded meta packets are extracted from the wirelesstransmission signal, the downlink receiver 28 transmits the encoded metapackets to the decoder 30, and the decoder 30 decodes and reassemblesthe original multimedia file for playback. The term “decoder” isreferred to herein as a circuit, device, module or code segment thatreconstructs the input symbols from the groups of output symbolsreceived by the recipient. In one embodiment, the decoder 30 isconfigured to recover input symbols from the values of one or moregroups of output symbols (i.e., encoded meta packets) and possibly frominformation about the values of other input symbols that may havepreviously been recovered. The decoder recovers some input symbols fromsome groups of output symbols, which in turn allows the decoder todecode other input symbols from those decoded input symbols andpreviously received groups of output symbols, and so on, thus causing a“chain reaction” recovery of input symbols of the original multimediafile being reconstructed at the recipient. In one embodiment usingsoftware for decoding, such decoding software may be updated using thebroadcasting system 10 but identified as operational software elementsusing the aforementioned descriptive element in the broadcast.

Downloads may not need to be scheduled or coherent using thisencoding/decoding scheme which is ideally suited for video-on-demandmultimedia as well as receiving and reassembling other multimedia files.For example, the encoding/decoding of the invented system allows a videoto be broadcast as a continuous stream on a channel without coordinationbetween the receiver 28 and the transmitter 18. The receiver 28 maysimply tune into a broadcast channel for a video of interest and capturesufficient data to reconstruct the original video without having todetermine when the transmission started or how to get copies of lostportions of the broadcast. In one embodiment, once the receiver 28receives a threshold number of encoded meta packets, the decoder mayrecover a sufficient number of input symbols from the values of one ormore groups of output symbols (i.e., encoded meta packets), and possiblyfrom information about the values of other input symbols, to reconstructor reassemble the original multimedia file.

As previously mentioned, the transmitter 18 may transmit the groups ofencoded meta packets for a predetermined broadcast period based on anaverage vehicle operation duration and/or a probability of occurrence ofthe average vehicle operation duration. For example, the broadcastperiod may be selected such that the downlink receiver 28 is more likelyto receive the aforementioned threshold number of encoded meta packets,for reconstruction of the original multimedia file, during a minimumtime period of downlink receiver operation. In one embodiment, thisbroadcast period is within a range of time that substantially maximizesefficient use of transmission resources while meeting the thresholdnumber of encoded meta packets. Based on the average vehicle operationduration and a selected data transmission rate, a probability of thedownlink receiver 28 being activated for a duration sufficient toreceive the threshold number of encoded meta packets may be determinedand used to select the broadcast period. For example, the broadcastperiod may be determined such that a high percentage (e.g., 99%) ofcustomers will be operating their respective vehicles for a durationsufficient to receive the broadcasted group of encoded meta packetsduring such broadcast period. In one embodiment, the vehicles mayacknowledge receipt of the group(s) of encoded meta packets bytransmitting a confirmed received signal.

Although the downlink receiver 28 is typically activated during vehicleoperation, this duration may vary from operator to operator. Based onthe average vehicle operation duration and/or probability of occurrenceof this duration, the data transmission rate may be selected such thatdownlink receiver 28 operation has a greater probability of receivingthe threshold number of meta packets for one or more differentmultimedia files. The average vehicle operation duration and probabilityof occurrence of this duration may be determined through conventionalsampling methods of a desired population. Characteristics of thepopulation may be selected from any number of criteria such asgeographic region, vehicle type, customer profile, or any otherdemographics. In one embodiment, to generally increase the likelihoodthat a higher percentile of customers or vehicle operators will beoperating their respective vehicles for a time period sufficient toreceive enough meta packets, for reassembling one or more originalmultimedia files, different multimedia content may be concurrentlytransmitted at different data rates within a channel having atransmission bandwidth.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of a transmissionbandwidth, shown generally at 40. A 120 kilobytes per second (kbps)allocation is provided for the transmission bandwidth 42. In thisembodiment, all 120 kbps are used to broadcast a multimedia content,movie A, having a length of about 100 min. For a data transmission rateof about 3 MB per min., the movie A has about 300 MB of data, and about7 hours of vehicle operation is required to receive the threshold numberof encoded meta packets for reassembling the original multimediacontent.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a second exemplary embodiment of a transmissionbandwidth, shown generally at 42. A 120 kbps allocation is also providedfor the transmission bandwidth 42. In this embodiment, the bandwidth 42is divided among three different movies that are concurrentlybroadcasted, namely movie A, movie B, and movie C. Each of the movieshas substantially the same duration about 100 min. Movie A istransmitted over a 60 kbps portion 44, movie B is transmitted over a 40kbps portion 46, and movie C is transmitted over a 20 kbps portion 48.For a data transmission rate of about 3 MB per min., about 14 hours ofvehicle operation is required to receive the threshold number of encodedmeta packets to reassemble the original multimedia content of movie A,about 21 hours of vehicle operation is required to receive the thresholdnumber of encoded meta packets to reassemble the original multimediacontent of movie B, and about 42 hours of vehicle operation is requiredto receive the threshold number of encoded meta packets to reassemblethe original multimedia content of movie C. In this embodiment,customers or vehicle operators that spend more time operating theirvehicles generally receive more multimedia content. For example,customers who spend more time operating their vehicle may receive enoughmeta packets to reassemble movie B and movie A, and customers who spendan even more time in their vehicle may receive enough meta packets toreassemble movie A, movie B, and movie C. The data rate may be selectedbased on the number of concurrent multimedia transmissions and theavailable transmission bandwidth.

One example of multimedia content provided by the invented system 10(FIG. 1) is a video-on-demand service for vehicles. In one embodiment,the video-on-demand service may be offered on a subscription basis tothe customer. To facilitate conditional access to the multimediacontents of the service, access to the multimedia files stored on thedecoder 30 (FIG. 1), playback device 32 (FIG. 1), or mass storage devicemay be controlled using the operational software of the playback device32 (FIG. 1). For example, the stored multimedia files may be encryptedto limit accessibility in the event the multimedia files on the massstorage device are accessed using a device other than the playbackdevice 32 (FIG. 1). Activation and deactivation of the playback device32 (FIG. 1) may be accomplished by transmitting unique vehicle specificsubscription control files using the descriptive element of the fileheader information or using an alternative communication channel. Newgroups of encoded meta packets, corresponding to new multimedia content,may be received and stored on the decoder 30 (FIG. 1) or playback device32 (FIG. 1) irrespective of the subscription status.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of amultimedia system, shown generally at 50, for a vehicle, shown generallyat 51. The system 50 includes a vehicle-based receiver 52 configured towirelessly receive one or more groups of encoded meta packets at acorresponding data rate from a wireless broadcast, such as from thetransmitter 18 (FIG. 1), a mass storage device 54 coupled to thereceiver, a decoder 56 coupled to the mass storage device 54 thataccesses the storage device 54 and reassembles the original multimediafile, a playback device 58 coupled to the mass storage device 54 thatgenerates audio/video signals associated with the playback of themultimedia file, and a multimedia output device 60 that reproduces anddisplays the multimedia content.

In this embodiment, delivery of multimedia files may be used forvideo-on-demand services with a rear seat entertainment system of thevehicle 51. When the vehicle is operating, the system 50 continuouslyreceives new meta packets and assembles the original video files whenthe threshold number of encoded meta packets are received by thereceiver 52. In one embodiment, the mass storage device 54 is a harddrive that contains the received encoded meta packets. Other types oflarge memory writable/re-writable devices may also be used for the massstorage device 54 such as magnetic tape and flash memory. The particulartype of storage medium is not critical to the operation of the inventedmultimedia system so long as the storage medium has sufficient memorysize for containing multimedia files, in whole or in portions thereof.The mass storage device 54 may be partitioned such that memory isallocated and available for all meta packets that may be required forreassembly of files being broadcasted. In one embodiment, meta packetsof multimedia files that are no longer transmitted and that were notassembled/reassembled may be deleted to increase available memory.

The decoder 56 retrieves groups of encoded meta packets received by thereceiver 52 and stored on the mass storage device 54 after the thresholdnumber of encoded meta packets are received for reassembling theoriginal multimedia content. The threshold number is not reliant on anyparticular order of the encoded meta packets. Decoding is then conductedby the decoder 56 to obtain multimedia data files corresponding to theoriginal multimedia content which are assembled to form the originalmultimedia content for playback.

Assembled multimedia files may be made available to the customer forviewing. Because the continuous in-flow of new multimedia files consumesmemory, the storage capacity of the mass storage device 54 may beexceeded. Older files stored in the mass storage device 54 may bedeleted and replaced with new content to minimize this occurrence. Inone embodiment, the customer may “lock” selected files to preventreplacement of such files by new files.

The playback device 58 may further conduct decoding of the multimediafiles to produce audio and video output signals for input to themultimedia output device 60. For example, the multimedia files maycontain audio encoding for different audio effects such as surroundsound. Additionally, the assembled multimedia files may be encryptedsuch that an appropriate playback device 58, having operational softwarefor decrypting the assembled media files, may access the multimediafiles and play the same. This encryption/decryption matching of theassembled multimedia files and the playback device 58 is useful limitingaccess to the broadcasted multimedia files to customers partaking in acorresponding multimedia subscription service and using “authorized”playback devices. The multimedia output device 60 may includeconventional audio speakers and video displays.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a second exemplary embodiment of amultimedia system for a vehicle. In this embodiment, the mass storagedevice 54, decoder 56, and playback device 58 are combined into onephysical module 62. One advantage of this embodiment is that the massstorage device 54 may be used for other purposes in the playback device58 without data connection between the playback device 58 and the massstorage device 58. Other advantages of this embodiment includeavailability of the mass storage device 54 for storing compressed audiocontent from CDs when the playback device 58 is a CD R/W (e.g., MP3ripping) or for storing digital map data from CDs when the playbackdevice 58 is an electronic navigation aid.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a third exemplary embodiment of amultimedia system for a vehicle. In this embodiment, the receiver 52,mass storage device 54, and decoder 56 are combined into one physicalmodule 64. This module 64 is particular suited to use existing audio andvideo inputs associated with a pre-existing playback device 58 in thevehicle 51. For example, minimal structural changes may be required bythe addition of the module 64 to an existing infotainment system becausethe module may be simply coupled with the infotainment system usingassociated audio/video inputs. Additionally, this module 64 may easilybe used across different vehicles and may assist in part reuse.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a fourth exemplary embodiment of amultimedia system for a vehicle. In this embodiment, the receiver 52,mass storage device 54, decoder 56, and playback device 58 are allcombined into one physical module 66. This module 66 may minimizeoverhead costs commonly associated with each separate component, such asseparate power supplies and serial data interfaces.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of broadcasting multimediafiles to vehicles. The method begins at step 100. A group of encodeddata packets representing at least a portion of a multimedia content aregenerated at step 105 by the encoder 16 (FIG. 1). For each differentmultimedia content, such as different movies, a separate group ofencoded data packets are generated by the encoder 16 (FIG. 1).

The group of encoded data packets are wirelessly transmitted at step 110by the transmitter 18 for a time period based on the average vehicleoperation duration and at a data rate based on a number of concurrentbroadcasts of groups of data packets. In one embodiment, it may bedesirable to broadcast multiple different multimedia data files. In thisembodiment, each group of data packets corresponding to a desiredmultimedia data file is assigned a data rate which may be determined bythe number of different multimedia data files desired to be concurrentlybroadcasted and the available transmission bandwidth, as previouslyindicated with respect to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. When athreshold number of encoded data packets are received by the receiver 28(FIG. 1) for a particular group of encoded data packets associated witha corresponding multimedia data file, reassembly of the correspondingmultimedia data file may begin. In one embodiment, the threshold numberof received encoded data packets is not based on the order or receipt ofthe relevant encoded data packets.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in theforegoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vastnumber of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that theexemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and arenot intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of theinvention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description willprovide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map forimplementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. Itshould be understood that various changes can be made in the functionand arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of theinvention as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalentsthereof.

1. A system for broadcasting multimedia files to vehicles, said systemcomprising: an encoder configured to convert a multimedia file to agroup of encoded data packets; and a wireless transmitter coupled tosaid encoder, said transmitter configured to receive said group ofencoded data packets from said encoder and concurrently broadcast atleast one group of encoded data packets for a pre-determined time periodand at a pre-determined data rate, each of said at least one group ofencoded data packets corresponding to a different multimedia file, saidtime period based on an average vehicle operation duration, said datarate based on a broadcast bandwidth and a number of concurrentlybroadcasted groups of encoded data packets.
 2. A system according toclaim 1, wherein said transmitter is configured to concurrentlybroadcast a first group of encoded data packets at a first data rate anda second group of encoded data packets at a second data rate, said firstdata rate different from said second data rate.
 3. A system according toclaim 1 further comprising a network coupling said encoder with saidwireless transmitter, said network comprising: a gateway coupled to saidencoder, said gateway configured to receive said group of encoded datapackets from said encoder via a file transfer protocol; and a multimediaserver coupled with said gateway, said multimedia server configured toselect at least one group of encoded data packets for concurrentbroadcast by said wireless transmitter.
 4. A system according to claim3, wherein said transmitter comprises an uplink device coupled to saidmultimedia server, said uplink device configured to convert said groupof encoded data packets to a transmission signal.
 5. A system accordingto claim 1, wherein each of said at least one group of encoded datapackets comprises: a digitally compressed multimedia content; and adescriptive element having additional information of said multimediacontent.
 6. A multimedia system for a vehicle, said system comprising: avehicle-based receiver configured to wirelessly receive at least onegroup of encoded multimedia data packets during activation of thevehicle, said at least one group of encoded multimedia data packetsbroadcasted at a pre-determined data rate for a pre-determined timeperiod, each of said at least one group of encoded multimedia datapackets corresponding to a different multimedia data file, said datarate based on a broadcast bandwidth and a number of concurrentlybroadcasted groups of encoded data packets, said time period based on anaverage vehicle operation duration; a data storage device coupled tosaid receiver, said data storage device configured to store said atleast one group of encoded multimedia data packets; a decoder coupled tosaid data storage device, said decoder configured to access said atleast one group of encoded multimedia data packets from said datastorage device and assemble said different multimedia data file uponreceiving a threshold number of encoded multimedia data packets for saidat least one group of encoded multimedia data packets, said data storagedevice configured to store said assembled multimedia data file; and amultimedia playback device coupled to said data storage device, saidplayback device configured to play said assembled multimedia data file.7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said receiver is configured toconcurrently receive a plurality of groups of encoded multimedia datapackets, each group of said plurality of groups of encoded multimediadata packets corresponding to a different multimedia content, each groupof said plurality of groups of encoded multimedia data packets receivedat a different data rate during activation of the vehicle.
 8. A systemaccording to claim 7, wherein said data storage device is configured tostore each group of said plurality of groups of encoded multimedia datapackets.
 9. A system according to claim 6, wherein said data storagedevice, said decoder, and said playback device are one module.
 10. Asystem according to claim 6, wherein said receiver, said data storagedevice, and said decoder are one module.
 11. A system according to claim6 further comprising a multimedia output device coupled to said playbackdevice, said multimedia output device comprising an audio speaker and avideo display.
 12. A system according to claim 11, wherein saidreceiver, said data storage device, said playback device, and saiddecoder are one module.
 13. A system according to claim 6, wherein saidassembled multimedia data file stored on said data storage device isencrypted for access by said playback device; and wherein saidmultimedia playback device comprises operational software for decryptingsaid assembled multimedia data file.
 14. A system according to claim 6,wherein said data storage device is configured to remove said storedgroups of encoded multimedia data packets and said assembled multimediadata files on a first-in first-out order.
 15. A system according toclaim 14, wherein said data storage device comprises a selector forpreventing removal of a selected assembled multimedia data file.
 16. Amethod of broadcasting multimedia files to vehicles, said methodcomprising the steps of: generating a group of encoded data packets froma multimedia data file containing a multimedia content; and wirelesslyand concurrently transmitting at least one group of encoded data packetsfor a time period based on an average vehicle operation duration and ata data rate based on a number of concurrent broadcasts of groups ofencoded data packets.
 17. A method according to claim 16, wherein saidtransmitting step comprises: wirelessly transmitting a first group ofencoded data packets at a first data rate, the first group of encodeddata packets corresponding to a first multimedia data file; andwirelessly transmitting a second group of encoded data packets at asecond data rate, the second group of encoded data packets correspondingto a second multimedia data file, the first data rate different from thesecond data rate.
 18. A method according to claim 17 further comprisingthe steps of: reassembling the first multimedia data file when a firstthreshold number of encoded data packets are received of the first groupof encoded data packets; and reassembling the second multimedia datafile when a second threshold number of encoded data packets are receivedof the second group of encoded data packets.